Comments on: What are some ideas on how to keep my young children focused on Christmas being about Jesus?

By: party_pam

party_pam — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:25:22 +0000

Make a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas day.

By: disneychick

disneychick — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:28:43 +0000

First thing we do is to keep the gifts to a minimum and ask our family to do the same for our 4 year old. She’s the only child in my family as well as my husband’s and her first Christmas was insane and she was only 2 months old. So we have to remind everyone to keep it in check or we’ll be opening presents for a week. Second thing we do is our advent calendar. A couple of years ago I made a manger out of Popsicle sticks, wrapped a little wooden figure in a piece of cloth, drew a little face on him, and put him in the manger. Next I got a piece of brown construction paper and wrote “For unto you in born this day, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11″ Glued a piece of ribbon to it so I could hang it on our Christmas tree, then at the bottom of the paper I numbered it 1-25 then cut in between the numbers, like a flyer on a bulletin board where you pull off the phone number to call about the advertisement. Every day before Christmas we pull off a piece of “hay” to put in the manger for baby Jesus to have a soft bed. Then after we sing Away in a Manger, my daughter kisses baby Jesus and puts him back in the manger on his soft “hay”. She looks forward to it every day and with the birthday party for Jesus they have in Sunday School, I think it really helps her to understand what Christmas is really about.

And to those who say that Christmas isn’t the time of year when Christ was actually born and it’s really a pagan holiday, that may be true, but it’s the time of year we stop and celebrate Jesus’ birth. Does it really matter when we celebrate as long as we celebrate? If you don’t believe, that is your choice and someday we will all have to answer for the choices we have made, but don’t spread hate and cynicism just because it isn’t something you choose to believe in. Merry Christmas!

By: Greg P

Greg P — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:54:42 +0000

You think this is hard, try teaching kids Hannakuh isn’t Jewish Christmas .

Seriously though, taking him to services is one of the best things you can do. Also, although slightly a Jewish custom, consider, along with presents, making a donation to a charity.

By: CF_

CF_ — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:42:28 +0000

you do realize that Christmas isnt really about Jesus dont you?? its actually a Pagan holiday that the early Christians tried to cover up.. all the traditions (from the tree to the gifts) have pagan origins.. look up SATURNALIA and you will learn the truth about Christmas.. heck Easter was a pagan holiday too.. for the Godess Eastre…
also Jesus was born March 17 and this has been proven… so ummm ya celebrate if you want to but learn the facts first…

IF you want the focus to be Jesus.. DONT give presents.. then the focus becomes GREED

By: Teri E

Teri E — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:49:09 +0000

I hear you! ! At this day and age it is so difficult to achieve that…
My suggestion would be to read lots of books about Jesus to them. There are so many children’s books out there on Jesus and Christmas. Go to your local Christian book store, and even the Dollar Tree, (if you have one), has great books on the subject.
That and going to church and talking with your pastor.
Every Christmas I like to read out of the Bible for my kids….
Good luck! !

By: Barbi

Barbi — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:05:49 +0000

It might sound silly (I thought it was when I was younger), but we always had a birthday cake for Jesus. And yes, we did have to sing Happy Birthday to him.

I thought it was crazy back then, but now, I think it’s awesome. I am definitely making it a tradition in my home now that I have started my own family.

By: ballet girl

ballet girl — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:05:30 +0000

i have grown up in a Jesus filled home
and every Christmas we read a book called:
jothoms journey
ore there are two others called:
Bartholomew’s passage
Tabbitha’s travels
all three of these are great books
they tell the story of Jesus as if you were there
some times kids get bored with reading the bible over and over again i know i did
so these books make it fun!!!
also kids love to decorate the Christmas tree
so have them make paper Christmas ornaments
that are all about Jesus

By: artimis

artimis — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:36:38 +0000

My children know the story of Jesus’ birth and every year we retell it. In the days leading up to Christmas we talk about different aspects of the season. (the journey to Bethlehem, the wise men etc…)

I also remind my children that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and the whole celebration surrounding it is like his birthday party. The presents given are like presents at a birthday party except that Jesus wants us to have them. (God gave his son…) It is also a time to follow his example– We can give gifts and food to the less fortunate.

My children are young so this has worked to keep him in their minds. As they get older I can explain further.

By: robin rmsclvr25

robin rmsclvr25 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:25:24 +0000

Read them the Christmas Story in Luke in the bible. Show them a Nativity Scene if you have one, and go over each aspect of each figure in the Nativity Scene.

By: rtrdnhppy

rtrdnhppy — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:25:47 +0000

The best way is to downplay gifts for them. Read them the story of the nativity, and explain that people give gifts at Christmas because the wise men brought gifts to Jesus. Then try focusing their attention on getting a gift for someone who needs it, and if they are old enough to grasp this concept, you are halfway there. Explain that they will get something, too, but that’s not what Christmas is all about. Take them to Christmas plays if possible, and put up a nativity scene in the house or yard. Keep focusing their attention on Jesus in the manger.